Bradley Cooper eyed to direct and star in ‘Ocean’s 11’ prequel alongside Margot Robbie

Bradley Cooper is being considered to write, direct and star in a new Ocean’s 11 prequel opposite Margot Robbie

Bradley Cooper is reportedly being considered to write, direct and star in an upcoming prequel to the heist franchise Ocean's Eleven, with Margot Robbie also in talks to lead the project.

The film is being developed at Warner Bros. and produced by Robbie’s production company LuckyChap Entertainment. If Cooper officially joins the project behind the camera, it would mark his fourth feature as a director after A Star Is Born, Maestro and Is This Thing On?.

The project has seen several changes behind the scenes. Lee Isaac Chung, known for directing Twisters, recently exited the prequel after previously replacing director Jay Roach, who was earlier attached to the film.

According to reports, the prequel’s story will take place before the events of the 2001 film and is expected to be set in Europe during the 1960s. The screenplay was written by Carrie Solomon.

The original 2001 movie, directed by Steven Soderbergh, starred George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts as a team of thieves planning an elaborate casino heist in Las Vegas. The film later spawned sequels Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen, as well as the female-led spinoff Ocean's Eight starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway and Rihanna.

The franchise itself traces its roots back to the original Ocean's 11 featuring members of the Rat Pack including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.

The prequel is one of several projects currently being developed by LuckyChap at Warner Bros., following the massive success of Barbie. Upcoming projects from the partnership include Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights and a reimagining of Attack of the 50 Foot Woman directed by Tim Burton.

If Cooper signs on to direct, the studio hopes to begin production on the Ocean’s 11 prequel before the end of the year.